Family Violence Analysis

Family Violence Analysis

Anjelica McCartney

BSHS/407

July 10, 2017

Professor Willey

Family Violence Analysis

        Family violence is an issue that plagues millions of women, children, and men not only in the Unites States but across the globe and is defined as a “violent act committed against any person who is a member of your family or household” (Gosselin, 2014). According to th National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2017), there are more than 10 million cases of abuse annually. This abuse not only effects the victim but it effects the entire family including the perpetrator.

        The most recent complaint to be reported is a case involving 25-year-old Michelle Smith, her two daughters, 5-year-old Arielle, 8-year-old Taylor, and their father Connor Jones who is also Ms. Smith’s boyfriend of ten years. The complaint stated the family was residing in a hotel room when screams and glass breaking could be heard from surrounding rooms. When authorities investigated they found Ms. Smith on the floor beaten and bloody, the children were on the beds crying and afraid, and Mr. Jones was found hoovering over Ms. Smith with his hand balled into a fist. Mr. Jones was arrested for domestic violence, Ms. Smith was transported to the hospital and the children were released to Child Protective Service until adequate placement was found. There are multiple forms of abuse, issues related to the family violence, and issues related to socio-economic status that are present in this case and will be discussed in further detail. In addition, a case plan has been developed for the Smith family to aid them overcoming this tragic time and includes interventions, educational initiatives, ethical considerations, and the role that the case worker will play in throughout this time.  

Types of Family Violence

        Family violence encompasses many different forms of abuse including physical abuse, mental or psychological abuse, financial extortion, verbal abuse, and even neglect. There are several forms of abuse that are found in the Smith and Jones case. Physical abuse was the suspected main form of abuse. This was confirmed by the bruises on Ms. Smith’s face and body as well as both parents and both children. Psychological and verbal abuse are other forms of abuse that were experienced by the family members and occurred in the form of yelling, screaming, fighting, and name calling.

Financial extortion is another form of abuse present in this case and was disclosed by Ms. Smith. She mentioned that Mr. Jones often attempts to take all the money to purchase drugs with and gets angry when he unable to obtain the money for drugs. “Neglect happens when parents or carers can't or won't meet a child's needs. Sometimes this is because they don't have the skills or support needed, and sometimes it's due to other problems such as mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems or poverty” (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 2017). The children stated that they had not ate since they had McDonalds after school the day before the incident took place. This is considered neglect because the children have gone so long without eating. Arielle and Taylor have missed school because of the events that have taken place which is also considered a form of neglect.